Joyfully Ambitious: Heidi Zimmer
The founder of Wild Rice Retreat has created a place that fosters connection — both with others and yourself.
A former real estate developer and Twin Cities resident, Heidi Zimmer was once ensconced in the hustle of everyday life. But as her children grew up and left home, and as the pandemic hit, Heidi realized that not only did she crave a more peaceful, nourishing place for herself, but she wanted to create that sort of sacred space for others, too.
So she created Wild Rice Retreat. Located in Bayfield, Wisconsin along the stunning shore of Lake Superior, the all-season, modern resort provides individuals and groups with a range of retreat styles, from an individual escape to a guided, instructor-led getaway. Wild Rice nourishes guests through delicious foods, a range of health and wellness programming — with options for taking in the area’s abundant nature — and well-appointed, Scandinavian-inspired rooms. In short, it’s a place that allows for a deep breath in a hectic world.
In addition to running Wild Rice and hosting yoga classes and retreats, Heidi also works with other entrepreneurs to provide mentorship and coaching to those who want to build their own beautiful, healing spaces in the world. Visit Heidi’s personal site to find out how you can tap her joyful expertise.
Name: Heidi Zimmer
Pronouns: She/her
Website: wildriceretreat.com, heidi-zimmer.com
Social media: @heidi.kz, @wildriceretreat
Was there a moment when you knew you were absolutely on the right path?
When I saw guest's reaction to the space for the first time. She was so full of gratitude, and guests continue to be to this day. I often hear people say, ‘thank you so much for creating this place!’ We are impacting lives in such a positive way, and I knew we were onto something big from the moment we opened our doors in 2021.
How do you handle self-doubt?
Now that I'm older, I've realized that anyone who says they have it all figured out is the one who is real imposter. Like grief, fear or anything else that rises up from time to time, I honor that self-doubt presence, question it when it overstays its welcome and let it pass through. It’s normal to occasionally let imposter syndrome come around, but as like I teach often in my yoga classes: find your grounding, take a deep breath, ask for help if you need it and just keep going. If all else fails, reflect back on where you were five years ago and remind yourself just how far you've come.
Is there a life or business mantra that you live by?
When nothing is certain, anything is possible
How do you find joy in moments of uncertainty?*
See my mantra! Uncertainty is all about opportunity, creativity and resilience. I've found so much of it by creating this place during the pandemic that it has almost become a badge of honor. I have a deep faith that it will always work out. I have pinned to my office wall that Marie Forleo quote: Fear stands for Face Everything And Rise.
Is there another woman in your field that you admire?
There are so few women in real estate development that basically I admire each and every one that I have learned from, have mentored me and supported me on this journey. Women in the Twin Cities like Peggy Lucas, Colleen Carey, Maggie Smith and Deidre Schmidt are all change-makers and pioneers in real estate development. I am hoping that I can be an inspiration to recruit other women who want to create beautiful spaces in hospitality, housing or otherwise. Women bring such a different lens to developing places of intention, places for sanctuary, ritual, art, creativity and well-being. We just need more investors out there to support us!
What does community mean to you?
Taking care of people. Whether it be kind and thoughtful neighbors of 50 years like my mother has after my dad passed away last year, to the community we can create in a weekend or on a retreat, it is as simple as truly seeing people, accepting them in the moment they are in and recognizing we are all in this one wild and precious life together.
How do you cultivate community?
We want our guests at the retreat to feel nourished, cared for and celebrated. To me, that's what community is all about. My yoga practice and teaching affords me the opportunity to bring circles of women and men together to experience rest, healing and growth. It’s a joy to teach and lead retreats and see how quickly people bond together.
What is your favorite part of your work?
I love teaching yoga at the retreat and engaging with the guests. The interaction and energy is so palpable and it’s a gift to spend one moment comforting someone in a place of grief or life transition and the next moment celebrating a baby, a marriage or a mother/daughter weekend — the list goes on. I often say we can carry grief in one hand and joy in the other and have our heart stretched wide by it all. My job gives me the opportunity to have my heart stretched wide almost daily. The best message I can share with people is that you are not alone, and whatever ‘state’ you are in is not permanent. Look to nature for healing cues. It's ever changing.
What is your favorite part of your day?
First thing in the morning. I rise early and often enjoy a peaceful sunrise over Lake Superior with a cup of coffee. The color of the sky, that sweet moment of peace and stillness before the day begins is simply the best. It's the best time of day to open yourself up to the possibility and wonder of what may unfold. Doesn't always work out to be a great day of course — but I love the optimism and possibility that the dawn of a new day brings!
What inspires you?
Honestly, right now it's my daughters. I have a 21 year old and 23 year old, and they have been through a lot more than I ever had to go through at that age. Between mass shooter drills and gun violence to graduating during a pandemic, they are resilient, strong and #girlbossing already (as the hashtag goes)! They have an amazing capacity for loving kindness and acceptance of others. Their generation is the most open, compassionate and inclusive — the kind of community-building generation that we need right now. I am in awe of the adults they are becoming and it brings me the greatest joy to witness it all unfolding. I feel strongly that we are in good hands with this generation coming up in the workplace right now.
